Wrestling Fact or Fiction
November 15, 2013

Two weeks worth of questions from the fine folks at 411mania.com. The answers are mine and I’m ready to do this so… let’s go for it!

1. While WWE reportedly has big plans for him, it is too soon for Roman Reigns to be “fast tracked” for a babyface run.

FACT: Look at the early days of the Giant. aka “Big Show”. He was brought into WCW and booked as the killer monster, but the powers that be decided to have him switch to a face…. and then heel…. and then face… and then heel so many times, his credibility was destroyed and he had to go to the WWE to become significant again. Of course, they’re doing the same thing over and over, but still… Too much too soon rarely works and Reigns is best brought slowly along as part of the Shield. The chances for him to break out as a solo star are better not to be rushed and allowed to evolve naturally. Otherwise, it’s Reigns who be be hurt and his credibility that will be damaged.

2. TNA is overbooking the world title tournament by using the “wheel of Dixie” to assign gimmicks to the tournament matches.

FACT: TNA needs to let the matches be solid, one on one wrestling matches with no gimmicks or smoke and mirrors involved. Too much hoopla and over-booking destroys the credibility and value of the TNA Championship and the eventual winner.

3. The release of Kassius Ohno (Chris Hero) was a surprise to you.

FICTION: WWE has a bad habit of screwing up and letting the good ones go while keeping the cookie-cutter clones. They’ll eventually realize their mistake and try to get Hero back (probably at the urging of Punk, Bryan and Regal.) He doesn’t need the WWE and will have a solid career regardless. It’s the WWE’s loss.

4. Despite having some interesting themes, you have little to no interest in buying the TNA One Night Only PPVs.

FACT: There is very little in TNA right now that even interests me anymore. I’m not wasting my money on something that I don’t care about.

5. You are interested to see where the new Kane character goes.

FACT: It’s interesting character development for the Kane character and it’s caught my attention. It’ll be interesting to see what the WWE does with this great move that can eventually lead Kane into either a major supporting role or even a role as a manager. We get to see the man behind the monster and it’s a great way to add even more depth and length to Kane’s career.

6. A Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker match at WrestleMania 30 is more interesting to you than a Sting vs. Undertaker match at WrestleMania 30.

FICTION: A Brock versus Taker match would be very interesting and fun to see, but come on now. We’re talking about Taker versus Sting. That’s a match of historical proportions ready to be made. Let’s see it happen. Either match would be fun to watch and I won’t be unhappy with either, but given the choice, I prefer to see Taker and Sting and I think most fans would agree.

7. There should be at least one traditional Survivor Series match at the Survivor Series PPV every year.

FACT: It’s called the “Survivor Series”, thus there should be at least one and probably more than one Survivor Series type of match. It’s only logical and would be best for business.

8. You are a regular viewer of the ROH TV product.

FICTION: We don’t get the ROH product in this area and I rarely have any free time as it is. I would give it a shot if I could, but to be honest, watching just one product (WWE) is all that I have time for.

9. The feud between CM Punk and Daniel Bryan vs. The Wyatts will do more to elevate the Wyatts than hurt Punk and Bryan.

FACT: This should work well to bring the Wyatt’s up to main event level and towards the top of the card. Punk and Bryan are now at that level that this won’t hurt them at all and will allow them to give a rub to the newer talent. It’d be interesting to see Paul Heyman get involved in some way as well. Could you imagine an on-camera “business meeting” between Heyman and Bray Wyatt? Talk about promo magic. This is a good way to give Bryan and Punk a break from the battles with The Authority / the Heyman guys and still have great matches and entertain the fans.

10. Sting will end up with WWE and in some form, be a part of WrestleMania 30.

FACT: It’s just a matter of time and now is the time that Sting should make that jump. How about the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2014 for Mr. Borden. Works for me.

11. Vince McMahon saying that Summerslam failed due to, “fans not buying the attraction” was his way of blaming the poor buyrate on Daniel Bryan.

FACT: Vince is using Bryan as his scapegoat, but I think he’s wrong. Look at the matches and the storylines building up to them. People are burned out on Sting. Del Rio couldn’t draw flies. And Punk has been neutered as the walking “pipe bomb”. WWE needs new stars, fresh talents and better storylines. People are not spending the money they used to have on entertainment and if WWE wants that dollar, they need to revamp and make major changes and that starts with Vince and HHH. They might be blaming Daniel Bryan, but he’s just one wrestler. They need to start looking in the mirror for the true faces of blame.

12. AJ Styles defending the TNA Title in AAA as well as in Japan for Wrestle-1 is a great addition to his leaving TNA with the title angle.

FACT: Every title defense by Styles and every victory adds credibility to both the TNA Championship and AJ Styles as well. He needs to keep it up and keep on keeping on.

13. The closing angle to last Monday’s Raw made you excited for the Survivor Series PPV.

FICTION: I’m interested because it’s the Survivor Series, but it’s more despite the current TV angles instead of because of.

14. Magnus will win the eight-man tournament to become the new TNA World Champion.

FICTION: It would be nice to see a new, fresh face win and Magnus would be great, but the inner-cynic in me thinks that TNA will go for the status-quo and we’ll see a former champ win and become the new “Face of TNA”.

15. Paul Heyman is currently the best promo guy in the business.

FACT: Great talkers come and go, but when it comes to consistency, Paul Heyman is definitely one of the very best there is, was, or ever will be. ‘Nuff said!

16. The Shield will breakup before WrestleMania 30.

FICTION: If it’s not broken, don’t fix it by breaking things up too soon. The Shield are a good grouping and it would be in the best interest of the WWE (and business) to keep them together as a unit so long as it remains effective. And that should be at least until the major reshuffle after Wrestlemania XXX.

And there you go. I’m through!

Ubuntu!